Seeking 2nd gynocological opinion...advice? - Women's Health Message Board

waterfairy · 05-16-2005, 11:38 AM

It's been probably 6+ months since I first posted my thread "Could I have endometriosis?" and it's been probably 3 months since I've even been on these boards for help and support. Things have been just so hectic in life that I've not been able to get online and see how everyone is doing with their endometriosis, treatments, appointments, etc. I hope everyone who I became friends with before is doing well, and all of the newbies who read this post.

In November I first went to a new gyn. for hopeful dignosis of endo. or whatever is going wrong with my female anatomy. The first appt. went alright, but my recent second appointment was an absolute nightmare. In between appt's, my dr. sent me for bloodwork, and nothing showed up except for the fact that I've got a high triglyceride level (cholesterol). My gyn was more concerned with treating my cholesterol problem and getting more bloodwork for that. I needed her for my gynocological problems, not my cholesterol (which I'm working on independently with an exercise/nutrition program). My second actualy in-office visit was early this month, and she basically devistated me. She just came in, still chewing whatever lunch she had in her mouth like I was inturrupting her, sat down, told me I'd gained weight since my last appt., and asked how the BCP she'd put me on was working. After briefly telling her that it started out working okay, and then more recently I was going back to having the horrible cramping, bleeding heavier, pain in my left side, and getting blood clots again, she inturrupted me saying "need to change the Pill." I've been on 6 different BCPs since I was 16, and obviously they're not working for whatever is going on inside me. After being in the room for only 2 minutes, she left saying she'd be back, and never came back. Her nurse returned with a new Rx and I left devistated. I wanted to talk with her about my serious concerns, and she's just into prescribing new pills. I have nothing against trying out new medication, but I'm just so sick of being written off like what I have going on with my body is normal. I don't feel right.

I returned to my regular doctor and asked her to recommend a gyn. that would be there to answer questions, concerns, and actually talk with me about problems that it could be, rather than spending 2 minutes in an appt. and writing a new Rx. I'm hoping that I could get some advice from anyone who's gone through this, who's going through this. My confidence is sort of shot now, and I just want to make sure when I go early June for my 2nd opinion I'm prepared.

Thank you for reading my ramblings.

Steph

southjerseymom · 05-16-2005, 04:42 PM

I'm glad you're looking into finding a new gyn. There's absolutely no reason why you should have been treated like you were passing through on the assembly line. I'm fortunate to have a gyn whom I adore and love. I always have to wait forever since he's thorough and takes the time to listen and answer his patients' questions. But he treats me wonderfully and never has acted as though he's got better things to do. When it comes to your health and your body, you have every right to address your concerns and expect them to be answered respectfully. It helps to bring a small notebook and pen, just so you can remember your questions and record any info( I sometimes focus on the first two sentences and then forget some of the details!). Good luck!

ktee_uk · 05-17-2005, 10:33 AM

Hi

My first gyno was ok and he actually sent me for a 2nd opinion to see a colleague of his who specialised in endo ablation techniques. Unfortunately I was not able to have this so I had to go back to first one and am now 3 weeks past having had a hysterectomy. I had endo and adenomyosis. Like you, I had years of trying different bcp and feeling lousy because of them. The last thing I tried was mirena which did regulate my bleeding for a while until i ended up bleeding/spotting continuously. The pain was almost constant too. It seems that every hormonal solution tried seemed to start well but ended up taking 2 steps backwards each time.

Over the past 18 months, I have been careful to monitor my cycles, write down all the dates and chart how much pain i was in, blood loss and whether i was nauseaus or fainting. It makes the docs take you a little more seriously.

Good luck
ktee

waterfairy · 05-17-2005, 11:18 AM

southjerseymom,

Thank you so much for your reply and advice. You hit the nail on the head when you likened my experience at the gyn to an assembly line. That's how it felt. That's so wonderful that you found a gynecologist who is so caring and compassionate. I know they're out there, you're proof of that. I just am so hopeful that I don't have to go through a dozen to find that shining star. Your suggestion of bringing a small notepad is excellent. I've done the writing my questions on a piece of paper before (did that with my most recent appt. but wasn't even given the chance to take it out of my handbag), but never thought about actually writing down responses from the doctor. I think I will definately take your suggestion and put it to good use. You've been a great help!!!!

ktee_uk,

Thank you also for your reply! Your experience with birth control pills sounds exactly like what I have gone through. Like you, I start on them, and for the first two or three months, they do what the doctor said they'd do, like lighten the flow, get rid of the blood clots, lessen the cramping, but after that, it begins to get back to the horrible experience I had before I started. One thing I don't understand too, is how being on a birth control pill won't regulate my period. I take it every day as prescribed, and around the same time every day. I have never once missed a pill or had to "double up" b/c of missing, and my period will not come when scheduled. It's either late, or ends up coming two weeks early and I end up with a two week long period. Everyone I know who's on the Pill can count on their period being on time...not me. It's just one more reason why I think there's more going on than just a normal period.

I don't know why I never thought of tracking my periods like you. It would definately make an impression on the doctors to show that I am really concerned about what's going on with my body. Funny how no doctors have ever suggested this to me. Maybe it's because I've not found the right one yet.

Thank you both for all of your help and support. I'll keep you posted how my appt. goes, which is June 2nd.

Steph

caszyman · 05-18-2005, 03:08 AM

Steph,
I can't speak to your condition, but I can to the writing down of questions and being prepared for your appointments. I started doing this since I've been taking my daughter to her ped ortho apts. I just did this for her adolescent med dr apt and she told me how happy she was with this. She said it's a good practice to do. Her ortho now knows I enter with a typed list of questions and smiles and says to begin. He is wonderful because he'll stay with us and answer every question we have. Last night he cleared all of his other patients out so that he could spend more time with us. He must have spent 30 - 40 min. talking with us. I also do write down their responses because I'm usually on overload by the time I get home and can't remember what they have said.

Also, with her back condition we receive two other opinions before deciding what to do. This really helped us because they all believed the same thing. We may now be doing this for her new gyn issues.

You'll find this kind of caring dr somewhere. I know they're out there because we've been lucky enough to have a few of them. Best of luck with your searching and with your condition.